Kidney Stones

[mex70033]

Ive had stones since 98, stents, eswl, and just Monday the lazer(unsuccessful) I am not worried about the <5mm stones, I pass those by gulping 1liter of water at a time until it passes. usually 2-3 days. I am concerned with the >7mm stones that are stuck. what test need to be done and what diagnosis has anyone been given? i have had the calcium oxalate and recently calcium phosphate/brushite. my doctors are just unconcerned. i am in Kansas city and thought i was going to the best here- NOT. any advise?

[mctripat]

you need a urologist who will order and interpert a 24 urine test to figure out why you are making stones. Not all urologists can interpert them....Also if you are not having pain and needing surgery there are nephrologists that manage kidney stone diease.... normally they treat people with inoperable kidney problems and put people on dialysis. You need a nephrologist who is interested in stone diease.

You may find the best treatment at the university that has a medical school close to you. Normally these have the top notch docs... but the red tape is another matter. many of these places treat all the uninsured and indigent so there is always a funding shortage. Treatment is good it is just slow. The doctors can be wonderful... kind, thorough and professional. However you will also see the urology residents. You will be passed around from resident to resident... that is how the medical school residency programs work. There is a board on Yahoo for kidney stones. Sometimes, the urologist on it will recommend other doctors he knows or knows their reputation.

US News and World Reports has a list of best hospitals in the US every year... you can look up urology and nephrology. All the hospitals have clinics for treatment... there is also outpatient surgical treatment.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/Kidney-Stones-Group/messages
mctripat